Citing declining sales, officials from the Harvest Time Bread Co. announced Thursday that they will be closing their manufacturing plant at Piedmont Triad West Industrial Park.The company told its 57 local employees about the shutdown on Thursday.Harvest Time sells bread, rolls and sandwich buns to retail grocery bakeries, food service suppliers and restaurants.Todd Tucker, president of Surry County Economic Development Partnership, said the news is disappointing, especially after Harvest Time's $4.5 million investment to upgrade the facility and expand production.Of course, the worst thing is that 57 people will lose their jobs. Anytime people become unemployed, it's disappointing, Tucker said. However, company officials have assured us that the employees will receive 90-day severance packages plus compensation for their accrued vacation.Tucker said he is optimistic that SCEDP will be able to find a new tenant for the 71,000-square-foot building, located near the junction of Interstate 74/U.S. 52 and U.S. 601.Harvest Time Breads is the second southeastern United States bread manufacturer to announced a plant closing this month. Sara Lee/Colonial Bread said last week that it would shut down its Dothan, Ala., facility this year. That plant employs 128 people.While you're here, look through these breaking news photos shared on u local. If you see breaking news happen, email your photos to ulocal@wxii12.com, or post them (and your videos) to http://ulocal.wxii12.com.

MOUNT AIRY, N.C. —

Citing declining sales, officials from the Harvest Time Bread Co. announced Thursday that they will be closing their manufacturing plant at Piedmont Triad West Industrial Park.

The company told its 57 local employees about the shutdown on Thursday.

Todd Tucker, president of Surry County Economic Development Partnership, said the news is disappointing, especially after Harvest Time's $4.5 million investment to upgrade the facility and expand production.

Of course, the worst thing is that 57 people will lose their jobs. Anytime people become unemployed, it's disappointing, Tucker said. However, company officials have assured us that the employees will receive 90-day severance packages plus compensation for their accrued vacation.

Tucker said he is optimistic that SCEDP will be able to find a new tenant for the 71,000-square-foot building, located near the junction of Interstate 74/U.S. 52 and U.S. 601.

Harvest Time Breads is the second southeastern United States bread manufacturer to announced a plant closing this month. Sara Lee/Colonial Bread said last week that it would shut down its Dothan, Ala., facility this year. That plant employs 128 people.

While you're here, look through these breaking news photos shared on u local. If you see breaking news happen, email your photos to ulocal@wxii12.com, or post them (and your videos) to http://ulocal.wxii12.com.